A weak HR: The "shadow child" of poor TOP management practices and the seed of of Toxic culture.

Lack of a strong HR function can prove to be hazardous to an organization since it leads to development of practices that are unethical and improper. Here’s how:

Lack of Accountability: If line managers and subordinates are not managed closely, then usually they are not forced to answer for themselves. This can result to favoritism, harassment, discrimination and other unethical behaviors prevailing at the workplace.

Poor Recruitment and Selection: Inadequate HR function can mean that the function lacked proper recruitment policy and may end up hiring wrong candidates whether they lack the capacity or are unethical. This can create a staff devoid of the necessary skill set and ethical standards in order to uphold these principles.

Inadequate Training and Development: HR is responsible for training employees on ethics and company compliance as well as policies that are enforced in the organization. In the event that HR is weak, the employees may not be well directed on the right conduct to uphold hence malpractice.

Weak Policy Enforcement: HR follows up and administers the policies of the company. If HR does not have the jurisdiction or capacity to demand compliance with these policies, they may not be followed, for instance, abuse of power, unfair treatment, or exploitation of employees may surge.

Ineffective Grievance Handling: A weak HR function may tend to ignore employees complaints and issues too and hence the employees would be unhappy working in the organization. This can lead to high turnover, low morale and possible legal cases that can lead to even more damage.

Unfair Compensation and Benefits: If weak, there will be distortions in remuneration package and employees will be dissatisfied or even subjected to being exploited.

Lack of Strategic HR Planning: Lack of SHRP may prove disastrous for the company as it faces problems in managing its workforce that might cause overworking, burn out and poor employee health levels thus create room for malpractice.

In summary, a weak HR function can exploit the company by allowing unethical practices to thrive, which can harm both employees and the organization as a whole, harboring cynical employees.